Times Square

 Yuletide cheer brightens the City of Firsts

By Earl D C. Bracamonte

Times Square is, once again, awash with the lights that beckon the Season of Hope as Araneta City held its annual tree lighting event recently. Graced by Vice Ganda and the Binibining Pilipinas queens, with performances from Seth Fedelin, P-Pop group Vxon, Lyka Estrella, Taylor Sheesh, and Showtime Kids (Argus, Kulot, Jase, and Imogen), the festive evening event filled the venue with shoppers and spectators who wanted to be the first to witness the spectacle.

The 100-foot gigantic tree is adorned with 7,500 warm white LED bulbs, 20,000 pieces of white and gold glossy X'mas balls, 250 pieces of red and gold stars, 3,000 pine garlands, and 300 pieces of sputnik and snowflake decors. Complementing the overall design is a golden carousel that was placed underneath the tree, signifying the return of the Fiesta Carnival to its original home.

First lighted in 1981, Araneta City's giant X'mas tree has become the soul and symbol of all Yuletide celebrations inside the city.

"With the country having months-long celebration of Christmas, and the festivities that comes with it, the Philippine holiday season  is like nowhere in the world. And definitely, Christmas in Araneta City is like nowhere else in the Philippines. Being in a place of memorable X'mas nostalgia, we want to make the public feel that Araneta City is their home this Christmas," enthused Marjorie Go, Araneta City's AVP for Marketing.

Apart from the giant Christmas tree, this season also marks the the return of the Fiesta Carnival arcade. The carnival attraction reopens in its original location; in the property right across the equally classic Araneta Coliseum. The renowned indoor amusement park, which is the biggest in the metro, will feature new rides and attractions, as well as some of the offerings that 70s to 90s kids used to enjoy.

"Araneta City is a place of memorable Christmas nostalgia, and Fiesta Carnival is one of them. It has been a go-to place of the whole family each Yuletide season, and we're really excited for the comeback of this indoor amusement park. We know that it will really bring a memorable experience, and stories to tell to younger generations," added Go.

Araneta City's Fiesta Carnival is set to open in December 2023.